The space Needle is supposed have such a great view, but if the weather is cloudy and wet, does it really matter if you do it at night or in the day? How would a 5:30 p.m visit work, assuming it's now, after the spring time change? Ditto for the harbor cruises - better in the day or night, depending on the weather? Also, what's cool to do in the University District if you want to spend the day there after a college tour?

The UW campus is the best part of the U District. If you want to spend more time around there, I'd visit the arboretum, or have lunch at Agua Verde and rent a kayak for an hour or so:

http://www.aguaverde.com/

I've lived here 18 years and haven't been up the Space Needle yet! There are great views from many places around Seattle, so I wouldn't make a trip up the Space Needle a focus. As for harbor cruises, you get the best views from the Bainbridge ferry, for a lot less. Ride over, walk around and enjoy Bainbridge (lunch and shpping in small shops if you like), then ride back.

It'd be kind of pointless to go up if it's cloudy and low visibility.

In good weather, it kind of depends on what you like to see - the lights of the city or the landscape around it?

I would choose a day view simply because Seattle is surrounded by water, which is interesting and pretty to see in daylight but just a lot of blackness at night.

travelerwife, you've posted the same question twice. Click on your name in the top left-hand corner of the US page to see both threads.

Don't go to space Needle. You'll definitely be disappointed.

If you want the experience of the Space Needle (I enjoyed it) choose your time to include the sunset. Get up there while it is still daylight so you can see the sights (if the weather is clear) and stay long enough to see the city light up. You'll have it all that way. If it's low clouds and rain or foggy, skip the trip.

Go up the Space Needle only if the weather is clear (good visibility in the distance).

Why stay in the U-District all day? You can catch a taxi or bus downtown easy enough. No offence but the University area is just not all that interesting imo (although Agua Verde mentioned above is a terific restaurant!).

Sorry in two decades living in Seattle have yet to take a harbor cruise so can't help with that.

Just wanted to say we really enjoyed the Space Needle. They've installed some new equipment up there and the day we were visiting was the first day to try it out. There are several cameras that you can control and zoom in and out on different things and the picture is displayed for you on a large flat screen TV. Also, there are interactive maps that you can touch and zoom in on different areas and learn more about them. I know it seems strange to think going up in a big tower could be interesting, but we certainly were glad we went ahead and did it. It was very clear the day we went though.

The space needle isn't really that high up, so it isn't often that it's covered in clouds. A cloudy day is fine to visit, however, a drizzly day may not be all that much fun.

I prefer the day time view over the nighttime (but I like to see the buildings, construction and water).

Another option is to visit the top of the Smith Tower. Not as high, and a different end of downtown, but it's far less expensive (maybe $3) and a historic building with a fabulous elevator.

The U-District has U-Village, which is a mall/lifestyle center. I've never found the shopping very good there, but the area has a comfortable feel to it. The Ave is still kind of dumpy.

Harbor Cruise, again, I prefer the daytime. Generally, the cruise boats have tent structures as well as indoor areas, so you don't necessarily get soaked. However, drizzle/limited visibility does take some of the fun out of it. Also, consider taking the Argosy to Blake Island/Tillicum Village which will essentially include a harbor cruise.

There is also a farmers market on Brooklyn and 50th which is wonderful as it is a nice neighbor hood thing to do- it's open on Saturdays from about 10 to 2pm.

I love renting kyaks from Aqua Verde- it's a very good recommendation.

Shopping on both the Ave and UVillage is fun. or if you want to venture a bit farther you could go for a walk around Greenlake- it'a about 1.5 miles away.